Venezuela Dismantled 17 Laboratories in Anti-Drug Operation
Caracas, Sep 8. -This year, Venezuelan authorities have dismantled 17 laboratories for the illicit processing of drugs, located in border areas, said Minister of Interior and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, from Maracaibo, Zulia state.In presenting a closing balance of Operation Sierra 23, 2011 Aissami told the press that the work undertaken since last January resulted in the seizure of 29.7 tons of different drugs, primarily cocaine and marijuana.
Aissami added that five million chemicals used to process drugs were seized.
The minister said 2, 326 officials of the Armed Forces, the national drug office and the Ministry of Interior and Justice, among others took part in the operation, conducted between from August 4 to 14.
During the operation were destroyed 13 laboratories to process about 10 tons of cocaine per month and confiscated 3, 300 gallons of fuel, 640 kilograms of chemicals, 11 firearm (shotgun) and ammunition, said Aissami.
The minister recalled that the plan is part of the national program under development by the government, whose results remain to the country for the sixth consecutive year as a state free of drug crops. (Prensa Latina)
